Development Academies

Netball Scotland are excited to announce the Development Academy Programme for the incoming 2018-19 season. Netball Scotland’s District programme plays a significant part in the development of Scotland’s junior players, with the competition days highlighting the best of our young players from across Scotland. As a result, Netball Scotland’s National Selectors will again be attending the Under 17 Play Off Day and the Under 15 League Days in September, to review those players who have already been nominated by their respective District coach.

We will notify players, and their Districts, of who has been invited to attend one of our trial dates, by Tuesday 18th September after the conclusion of both District events. Trials for the Development Academies will take place as per times and locations below (please note that unfortunately we are unable to offer any late trials):

To be eligible for Development Academies you must be aged between 12-15 years by 31st December 2018, and nominated by your District coach. If there is no District squad within your Local Authority, then your Junior Club coach can also submit a nomination by emailing this Nomination Form directly to lesley.macdonald@netballscotland.com, by no later than Friday 14th September.

Saturday 22nd September

East – Oriam, Edinburgh from 1.00 – 5.00pm

Sunday 23rd September

South – Alistair McCoist Complex, East Kilbride from 9.00am – 12pm

West – Alistair McCoist Complex, East Kilbride from 1.00 – 4.00pm

Sunday 30th September

North – Beacon Sports Centre, Aberdeen from 10.00am – 2.00pm

Please note:

East / South / West Trialists

All players will receive an email concluding the trials on Tuesday 25th September.

All District coaches will receive player feedback no later than Wednesday 26th September.

North Trialists

All players will receive an email concluding the trials on Monday 1st October.

All District coaches will receive player feedback no later than Wednesday 3rd October.

2018-19 Calendar

Click on your relevant Development Academy below for a list of all dates, times and locations.

Development Academies

Although this is the 1st step onto the national pathway we realise this is not just about creating national players, but raising the standards of young players who can then take the new skills and execute them with in the school, club or district environment.

The aim of the academy programme is about developing the individual player. To increase the basic fundamentals, to provide understanding with regards to the beginning of the elite culture and environment and development the player relationships and values that are encompassed into being the best they can be.

The academy programme involves over 120 athletes, in the East, North, Orkney, South and West of Scotland. All have an age range of 12 – 16 years old, receiving the same Make it Real coaching principles.

We have recently introduced a competition programme, designed to give everyone the opportunity to participate not just the best 12 players for each of the competition days. Each player needs to be selected for at least 2 out of the 4 competition days. The competition element allows all players to perform their skills in an environment that will enhance their development. There are no scores and no overall winner as the aim is develop the player not the team.

The district programme plays a significant part in the development of our junior players, with the competition days highlighting the best of our young players from across Scotland. As a result, NS national selectors will attend U15 and U17 events through the season but there will be a key focus on the September district events to select for Academy trials in October (as detailed above).

Development Academy Programme 2018-19

The programme for season 2018-19 will give players the opportunity to attend regular coaching sessions, be involved in the inter academy competition and a selection of players will be involved in the Development League alongside the U17 national squad players.

Following the conclusion of the selection process, the programme will begin with a Residential taking place from the 20th – 21st October which will be packed full of both on and off-court learning for coaches, team managers and players. Our teams of coaches will continue to embed the principles of Netball Scotland’s Make It R.E.A.L. coaching framework to develop the fundamental skills of our game.

The cost of the programme is £250 per player payable in 2 instalments. The payment will cover training and competition costs, squad t-shirt, hoodie, a netball, as well as our Residential weekend. The first instalment of £125 is due by Friday 12th October, with the second instalment of £125 payable by Friday 1st February.

The second part of the Development Academy is the coach development programme. Each coach has an opportunity to receive a coach development programme for the season. This involves coaching resource pack and 2 coaching workshops delivered by the Scottish Thistles national coach. Sharing of information with the other academy coaches, assigned 1 to 1 mentors, opportunity to attend other coaching workshops. Observation opportunities at all national squad training sessions and finally opportunity to attend cpd workshops surrounding Internationals or Siren matches. Our team of coaches continue to embed the principles of Netball Scotland’s Make It R.E.A.L. coaching framework to develop the fundamental skills of our game.

We are now looking to create a similar programme for Team Managers, an integral part of the management team we are looking to development team managers at all levels.

If you would like to be involved in this programme either as a Coach or Team manager please contact